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Three juicy steak tacos on corn tortillas, garnished with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and lime wedges.

Grilled Skirt Steak Tacos with Chipotle-Lime Marinade

Savor the smoky flavor of tender grilled skirt steak, marinated in a zesty chipotle-lime blend, piled high into warm tortillas with fresh toppings. These tacos are quick to prepare and burst with authentic Mexican-inspired flavors, perfect for any weeknight or casual gathering.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Chipotle-Lime Marinade
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice from 2-3 limes
  • 2 tbsp canned chipotle in adobo finely chopped, including a bit of sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Skirt Steak Tacos
  • 1.5 lbs skirt steak trimmed of excess fat
  • 12 corn tortillas 6-inch
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced or finely diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 avocados diced or sliced
  • 2 limes cut into wedges, for serving
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup crema or sour cream (optional)
  • Your favorite salsa (optional)

Equipment

  • Grill (charcoal or gas)
  • Large Ziploc bag or shallow dish
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Frying pan or comal (optional, for tortillas)

Method
 

Marinate the Skirt Steak
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chopped chipotle in adobo, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Place the skirt steak in a large Ziploc bag or a shallow non-reactive dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring it's evenly coated. Seal the bag (or cover the dish) and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Do not marinate for more than 4 hours, as the acidity can start to break down the meat too much.
Prepare Toppings and Grill
  1. While the steak is marinating, prepare your toppings: thinly slice or dice the red onion, chop the fresh cilantro, and dice or slice the avocados. Have your lime wedges, cotija cheese, crema, and salsa ready for serving.
  2. Preheat your grill to high heat (about 450-500°F / 230-260°C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Grill the Skirt Steak
  1. Remove the skirt steak from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.
  2. Place the skirt steak directly on the hot grill. Grill for 2-4 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature 130-135°F / 54-57°C), or slightly longer for desired doneness. Skirt steak cooks quickly due to its thinness, so watch it closely.
Rest, Slice, and Serve
  1. Once cooked, transfer the skirt steak to a cutting board and tent it loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender steak.
  2. While the steak rests, warm the corn tortillas. You can do this by placing them directly on the grill for 15-30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred, or warm them in a dry frying pan/comal over medium heat.
  3. Slice the rested skirt steak thinly against the grain. Cutting against the grain is crucial for tender skirt steak, as it shortens the muscle fibers.
  4. Assemble your tacos: fill warm tortillas with sliced skirt steak, then top with red onion, cilantro, avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add crumbled cotija cheese, a drizzle of crema, and salsa if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, try to find an outside skirt steak, which is generally more tender than inside skirt steak. When slicing the steak, pay close attention to the grain, which can change direction. You want to cut across these fibers at about a 45-degree angle. If you don't have a grill, you can cook the steak in a very hot cast iron skillet, 3-4 minutes per side.